New arrests in death of filmmaker from Chicago area

October 17, 2008

Mexican authorities today announced the arrests of two men in the death of Bradley Roland Will, a Kenilworth native and journalist who was killed in 2006 while covering social conflicts in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

The suspects have been identified in Mexican news accounts as members of APPO, a leftist political movement. The Tribune is not naming the men because they have not been charged.

At a news conference in Mexico City, deputy federal prosecutor Victor Emilio Corzo said the arrests were made after investigating the accounts of several witnesses. He said one suspect was the chief perpetrator while the other man was involved in covering up the crime.

Corzo said federal prosecutors have identified nine other suspects, whom he declined to name.

"Prosecutors will spare no effort until detaining and presenting before a judge the remaining who are implicated in the death of Bradley Roland Will," Corzo said.

The arrests run counter to the claims of several Will supporters who have said he was killed by gunshots fired by government authorities or militants associated with them.

During a February visit to Mexico, Will's mother, Kathy, said it was a "totally ridiculous" theory that his death could have been caused by an APPO protester near him.

At a news conference in Oaxaca this afternoon, APPO officials and relatives of the accused men denied that they were involved in Will's death.

Spokesman Florentino Lopez called the arrests "a message from the government so we don't keep raising our voices."

Will, 36, was shot in the chest on Oct. 27, 2006 while filming a demonstration in Oaxaca.

He had been in the region to document battles between striking teachers and others calling for the ouster of the state's governor. The fatal bullet was fired toward a group of demonstrators, witnesses said.

Will became a martyr for protesters, with several Day of the Dead shrines erected in his honor.